Axe Specialization: Needs a fixing

[hugo]

Currently, axe spec has 3 skills you get. Break weapon, cleave (which can be used when holding a sword) and pincer.

Break weapon - If it doesn't check the weight of the weapons, it'd best that it do so. It is currently better to choose whip to strip or even just master disarm to 100%.

Cleave - No complaints here, but should stay just for axe specs.

Pincer - At the moment, I assume it can hold someone but I do not know the exact amount of lag that it does. I think it should be able to initiate combat.

Those three skills are cool and everything, but Axe Specialization is usually not the first priority on someones list. Most people would go for Sword/Axe/Hand so they can just hold swords, cleave people and crush +  ground control. That's boring. Let's make some suggestions here to make the Axe Spec more versatile and usable on its own.

I'll start:

- Pincer needs a revamping. Maybe a new help file, some different combat messages. I don't think you should be able to pincer mounted, in the fairness for game balance, as well as being able to pincer in defensive stance. I think (like cross slice) you should only be able to pincer in offensive stance, but let it initiate combat and have a set rounds for lag.

- Give Axe spec a sort of maladiction. Maybe 'Handle smash', where it will disorient them and make them lose wis/int or something. If not, then definately something else. It needs versatility vs Sword spec, whip spec and staff spec.

- Axe spec needs a skill (or a couple) that you can use with only one axe in your hand. At the moment, there is next to no reason to hold an axe and a shield. I say we change this so as to give axe the sort of same stand alone strength sword or maces has.

- I'll come out and say maybe give axes a chance to do something in combat, maybe the chance to automatically cleave a guys shield if he blocks (a VERY small chance!)

Anyone else got any other good ideas? Remember, axe doesn't really need any holding power because the way the weapon is hard coded it would make it overpowered.

[Maniacus]

Look at h2h spec, there is nothing useful at all

[hugo]

Look at h2h spec, there is nothing useful at all

Agreed, make another post about it.

[Niano]

Ok, you guys. Quit whining about skills and specializations. Not all of them are to be useful. I think alot (too many if you ask me) of you have lost the notion that some of these are for roleplay. You know, that thing you do, or used to do that made this mud fun? Yea, that one. Not everyting is designed to have use, some of it is just for roleplay. Get over it.

[hugo]

Ok, you guys. Quit whining about skills and specializations. Not all of them are to be useful. I think alot (too many if you ask me) of you have lost the notion that some of these are for roleplay. You know, that thing you do, or used to do that made this mud fun? Yea, that one. Not everyting is designed to have use, some of it is just for roleplay. Get over it.

I'm sorry, that's absurd. Someone shouldn't be forced to pick a set specializations just to be able to compete. What makes games great is the ability to be different, be unique and still be useful in combat.

I don't think specializations have been looked at in a while and I wanted to let the immortals know about my opinons on the spec (having played at least 5 different aligned, axe spec'd warriors). Remember shield spec?

[Matthew]

Hand to hand spec is ok, on a warrior it compliments every other spec great. What did you want to do weaponless?

Axe spec hrm, instand death skill. Ability to break someones weapon(no disarm/sac) regardless of iron grip its gone, Pincer to do more damage(cant parry or dodge it), ok what other spec is like it? Seems pretty original to me, i guess cause im new. Perhaps make weapons that have been disarmed no_sacrifice for an hour would make break weapon more attractive. Although im sure if everytime someone attacked me i smashed thier weapon they'd either leave me alone or attack me with crap.

And you cant use roleplay as an argument to much other stuff is missing, Minotaurs for instance wield Shatangs(large spear like weapons) and other very large axes, swords and stuff most humans dwares or elves could not wield with twohands. They also have thick hides and wear little armor, but all solace's minotaurs walk round in fullplate 'n stuff!